throughout
throo-OWT
Throughout (prep) means In every part of something, or during the whole of a period of time. Example: “Snow fell steadily throughout the night, and the roads were white by morning.”
prep
1
In every part of something, or during the whole of a period of time.
"Snow fell steadily throughout the night, and the roads were white by morning."
"The policy applies throughout the company."
"He remained calm throughout the interview."
adv
1
In every part; from start to finish.
"The flat was freshly carpeted throughout, so we could move straight in."
"The report is written in plain English throughout, which makes it easy to follow."
"The house was renovated throughout."
How to use throughout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCovering the whole of a place or the whole of a period of time.
Common pairings
throughout the day
throughout history
consistent throughout
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Snow fell steadily _____ the night, and the roads were white by morning.
Etymology
From Old English þurh ūt, literally "through out" — a straightforward combination of "through" and "out."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for throughout
See all rhymes for throughout →Frequently asked questions
What does “throughout” mean?
The word “throughout” means in every part of something, or during the whole of a period of time. In plain terms, covering the whole of a place or the whole of a period of time.
How do you pronounce “throughout”?
“Throughout” is pronounced throo-OWT (/θɹuːˈaʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “throughout” in a sentence?
Here is “throughout” used in a sentence: “The policy applies throughout the company.”
What part of speech is “throughout”?
Depending on how it is used, “throughout” can be a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “throughout” come from?
The word “throughout” comes from Old English. From Old English þurh ūt, literally "through out" — a straightforward combination of "through" and "out.".
Is “throughout” a common word?
“Throughout” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “throughout” have?
“Throughout” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in every part of something, or during the whole of a period of time.
What is the difference between throughout and during?
During tells you something happens within a period, but not necessarily the whole of it — 'a phone rang during the film.' Throughout stresses the entire span or every part — 'it rained throughout the day' means all day long. Throughout also covers space, meaning in every part, which during cannot.
What is an example of throughout in a sentence?
Throughout works for both place and time. For place: 'shops appeared throughout the city,' meaning in every part of it. For time: 'she stayed calm throughout the interview,' meaning for its whole duration. In both, throughout signals completeness — nowhere and no moment is left out.
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